Working Waterfront

A renewed river benefits people and wildlife

As if on cue, a tagged Atlantic salmon was detected swimming above the Howland dam. Soon, people from throughout the state and beyond would gather where the Piscataquis and Penobscot rivers meet to celebrate the completion of a nature-like fish bypass around the dam. The final milestone in the Penobscot… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

The lobster trail—following critter from water to market reveals complexity

An 18-wheel tractor trailer truck is parked near Rockland’s fish pier on a hot day in late June. In the trailer, a couple of men are sliding empty plastic lobster crates toward the back door, where a fork lift operator waits to lift and set them down on the side… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

Kayaking: Easy access to ocean, but risks often underestimated

In the 20 years she’s been operating her kayak business, Karen Francoeur estimates she has introduced well over 1,000 people to the joys of paddling on Maine waters. “I started my business when kayaking was becoming a big thing,” she said, back in 1997. The sport took off, she remembers,… SEE MORE

Kaitlyn Mullen at the College of the Atlantic dock.

Working Waterfront

Mullen links ferry with research in Frenchman Bay

A new type of ferry linking Winter Harbor and Bar Harbor that’s also a research platform was established by a woman of many roles. Kaitlyn Mullen is a prominent marine mammal observer, world traveler, doctor of ocean engineering, tour operation manager and captain and professional singer/songwriter. Mullen is also something… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

Hail the mighty halibut!

The story of Atlantic halibut, the giant among New England groundfish, is similar to the story of cod: it once lived in vast numbers off our shores and after centuries of fishing its population is now a tiny fraction of what it once was. But unlike cod, the halibut’s story… SEE MORE

The steamer Islander at Squirrel Island Landing in 1901.

Working Waterfront

Traveling in style—Maine Maritime Museum remembers steamboat era

“Transport like no other” declared a sign posted more than 100 years ago on the Bath City Landing, directing visitors to board the steamboat Virginia. That sign is one of the items on display in a new steamboat exhibit at the Maine Maritime Museum. It’s been more than 25 years… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

Schooner Bowdoin readied for another 100 years

By Dora Thompson It was a dry winter for the historic schooner Bowdoin. The vessel, best-known for carrying explorer Donald MacMillan to the Arctic in 1913 and now owned and operated by Maine Maritime Academy (MMA), was out of the water this winter. It was one of the only times in… SEE MORE

A view of Belfast's tug boats from the harbor walkway.

Working Waterfront

Stand-off on Belfast’s waterfront illustrates new dynamics

The Island Institute launched this newspaper over 20 years ago in part to highlight the importance of Maine’s working waterfronts. Those properties, from which marine harvesting and other water-dependent businesses operate, were suddenly threatened by commercial and residential development. The most visible example of that threat came when condominiums were… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

Cruise business continues upward trend in Maine

Maine is a happening place when it comes to attracting cruise ships. The numbers just keep going up. Statewide, the season is bringing 378 cruise visits to Maine ports, said CruiseMaineUSA Director Amy Powers. The passenger yield is estimated to be over 283,000, an increase of over 6 percent above… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

Fellows explore university-industry marine partnerships

Eight students from Maine universities delved into the science and practice of marine aquaculture recently, thanks to an innovative new program developed by the University of Maine and University of Maine at Machias. Students visited sites from Walpole to Eastport under the leadership of University of Maine Darling Marine Center… SEE MORE